The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is taking the country by storm, all for a good cause, started by Pete Frates. With everyone being nominated, it was just a matter of time before someone tagged my name on Facebook and challenged me to participate. Yesterday it happened and today, less than 24 hours later, I delivered per the rules. But before I even received the nomination, I had already donated. Long before the Ice Bucket Challenge even began, I was familiar with ALS and will continue to donate for years to come. Why? Its simple. Before many people probably even knew the extent of the disease, my family watched a kind and amazing person, my aunt, suffer greatly and sadly pass away from it.

This disease deserves every ounce of recognition that it’s receiving, but please make sure you’re participating for the right reasons and not because it’s the cool thing to do, quite literally.

Just because you’re dumping a bucket of ice water on your head doesn’t mean you’ve helped the cause. Yes, you’ve heightened awareness — but at the end of the day, awareness isn’t going to fund the research to really strike out this debilitating disease. Don’t get me wrong, I love that people are participating and that a lesser known disease is getting the attention it deserves. But for me, if you’re going to participate, take the time to do the research and know what ALS is all about. The Ice Bucket Challenge shouldn’t be treated as a fad, whether you choose to dump ice water on yourself or not, be sure to dump any monetary amount you can, even if it’s $1 into finding a cure – ALS Foundation.

I’ve heard some people say they wish they could be nominated, if you’d like to participate, then participate… nominate yourself! But I’m extending the nomination to our writers and readers alike. We all like ice, why not experience it in a different way, for a good cause and donate, donate, donate.

Winter was hooked on hockey by age 6, when she first witnessed a bench clearing brawl between the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators. Growing from hockey fan to hockey player, Winter followed her passions by founding The Pink Puck. While she also loves fashion and the outdoors, hockey will always be her center ice. Email: winter@thepinkpuck.com Twitter: @Winter_Adams